Elektor 2 MHz LCR Meter Kit
Essentials
An important parameter to characterize passive components (resistors, capacitors, and inductors) is their impedance (Z), which cannot be measured with a multimeter. To measure Z, at least two AC values are needed (in magnitude and in phase), generally the voltage across the component and the current flowing through it. Other parameters are important when characterising passive components. The large LCD of the Elektor 2 MHz LCR Meter displays all relevant values, depending on the type of component being measured.
Up to 2 MHz!
The Elektor 2 MHz LCR Meter uses the self-balancing bridge method to analyse passive components, a relatively easy method with good accuracy, at reasonable cost. Whereas the measuring range of most commercially available, high-tech equipment is limited to 100 or 200 kHz, the Elektor's meter can carry out measurements of up to 2 MHz!
Features
The designer has paid special attention to the ease of use (including automated calibration) and ergonomics: a rotary encoder associated with five multi-function pushbuttons and a 240 x 128-pixel LCD graphic display enable users to navigate easily and intuitively in the menus, to change the frequency, and, of course, to display the measurements. Elektor's do-it-yourself kit features a main board and a display board, which are supplied, assembled, and tested in working order. They are ready for the semi-automatic calibration that the user will do by himself thanks to the precision components present on the main board, guided by an illustrated and printed manual included in the kit.
Image Description: A silver-colored Elektor 2 MHz LCR Meter with connected probes. The front panel features a rotary encoder, five pushbuttons, and a 240x128 pixel LCD display showing various measurement parameters like inductance (H), frequency (Hz), impedance (Ω), phase (Φ), Q factor, voltage (V), and current (A). A second, close-up view of the LCD shows specific readings for capacitance (nF), resistance (kΩ), inductance (mH), and frequency (kHz).
Specifications
The Elektor 2 MHz LCR Meter Kit is an automatic impedance measuring bridge with extended functionality:
- Measures the resistance, capacitance and inductance of components with an impedance of 10 mΩ to 100 MΩ
- Test frequency from 50 Hz to 2 MHz
- Four possible test voltages (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1 Vrms)
- Additional DC polarization up to 5 V for capacitors and 50 mA for inductors
- Two configurations possible:
- Standalone mode with main board + display extension
- Main board (without display extension) connected via USB to a computer running the user program (Windows, Linux, MacOS)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | LCD dark dots on light background, Format: 240 x 128 dots, Viewing area: 92x52 mm |
| Buttons & switches | On-Off power switch, Rotary knob and 5 pushbuttons for menu navigation and parameter selection |
| Case | Hammond 1455 series extruded aluminum case with two black plastic bezels. Dimensions: 4.173" x 6.535" x 2.205" (106 mm x 166 mm x 56 mm) |
| Inputs | HD-HS-LS-LD 4 BNC sockets (Kelvin), mini-USB (power + data) |
| Languages | English (default), Dutch, French, German |
| Calibration | Semi-automatic, no external components required. High precision components for calibration are originally fitted on the main board. |
| Weight | 987 g |
Main Technical Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Display Parameters | Parameter values (principal and secondary), Equivalent circuit: series or parallel, Frequency, |Z|, Φ, Q or D, Voltage and current of DUT (Vx and Ix), Test voltage (AC) and polarization (DC), Range hold status (R_Hold), Labels for multi-function buttons (right-hand side) |
| Measurement Range | L: 10 nH – 100 H C: 1 pF – 100 mF R, |Z|: 10 mΩ – 100 MΩ Q: 0 - 5000 for display Φ: -90.00° / +90.00° |
| Test Frequencies | 50 Hz to 2 MHz in 54 predefined steps or any frequency within the range |
| PC Software | Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux |
| Test Conditions: Open-circuit test voltage | 4 options: 0.1 Vrms, 0.2 Vrms, 0.5 Vrms, 1 Vrms ± 5% |
| DC Polarization | For C: 0 to 5 V | For L: 0 to 50 mA |
| Accuracy of main parameter (R, L, C) | Conditions: After calibration and with use of a suitable test frequency for the DUT (at high frequencies parasitic components become very important). Accuracy: Up to ± 0.1% ±1 of last digit. |
| Test Connections | 4 wire Kelvin via BNC connectors |
| Total current with MCU board + backlit display board | Without polarization: 420 mA | While polarizing the DUT: up to 620 mA |
| Backlit display board alone | 82 mA |
| Power Supply | 5 VDC 1 A ± 5%, USB A (not included) |
Contents of the Kit
The kit includes the following items:
- Assembled MCU board (BNC connectors not mounted)
- Assembled Display board (button of the rotary switch not mounted)
- Four PCB-mount BNC connectors
- Flatcable (reversible)
- Button, Φ 24mm
- Test clip with two Kelvin clips and 4 BNC connectors
- Four jumpers (for settings during calibrations)
- Screwdriver (trimming tool)
- Machined and screen-printed Hammond case with special screws (8) and rubber feet (4)
- Screws and bolts:
- 5 x M3 male-female standoffs, 6 mm high
- 5 x 4 mm Pozidrive countersunk M3 screws
- 1 flat washer DM3, thickness 0.5 mm
- 5 x M3 self-locking nuts
- Assembly Manual (full-color 32 pages)
Image Description: A photograph of the Elektor 2 MHz LCR Meter Kit contents laid out on a surface. This includes the main circuit board (MCU board), the display board, a Hammond aluminum case, BNC connectors, Kelvin clips, a button, jumpers, a screwdriver, screws, and rubber feet. The kit is packaged in a branded cardboard box.
Image Description: A close-up photograph of the assembled main circuit board (MCU board) of the Elektor 2 MHz LCR Meter Kit, showing various electronic components, integrated circuits, and connectors.
Information Sources
Product description in Elektor Store: www.elektor.com/19883
Project page on Elektor Labs: www.elektormagazine.com/labs/remake-lcr-meter
Various information documents (Operation, Operating instructions, PC interface, etc.) in English and French can be downloaded from this page: www.elektormagazine.com/magazine/elektor-167/59255
The file named 190311 AU2019 DOC EN & FR 2021-01-04.zip on the "Software" tab contains useful information:
- LCR Meter AU2019 - EN Operation Rev 6b.pdf: Description of the device's operation.
- LCR Meter AU2019 - EN Operating Instructions Rev 16a.pdf: The User Manual.
- LCR Meter AU2019 - EN Communications Rev 6b.pdf: Description of the messages exchanged by the device and the PC program (AU2019).
- LCR Meter AU2019 - EN PC interface Rev 0b.pdf: To view / modify the AU2019 program code. Description of the required tools.
- LCR Meter AU2019 - EN Changing the code Rev 1c.pdf: To change the code of the Firmware or the Bootloader. Description of the required tools.
- LCR Meter AU2019 - EN The text file Rev 4a.pdf: To change the displayed texts or add a language. Description of the formatting of this file.
Additional information on creating an AU2019 Android application is available in:
- Creating an AU2019 Android application_b.pdf
- AU2019 - Building Android application with Cordova_b.pdf
These files explain how to create or modify the AU2019 application for an Android smartphone/tablet, requiring a BLE interface (not part of the kit).
